SWITZERLAND

8 days incl. air, or 8 days from Zurich to Zurich (ZG)

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Zurich, Switzerland

(Sun.) Time to rest or to discover Zurich’s attractive historic center and lakeside promenade. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 2 Zurich–Liechtenstein–St. Moritz

(Mon.) Enjoy an orientation walk of Zurich’s OLD TOWN, Switzerland’s center of banking and commerce. An optional outing to the nearby Rhine Falls is available. Next, stop for a light lunch and a visit of an original CHOCOLATE FACTORY before continuing to the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein. After a break in Vaduz, ascend the Rhine Valley into the mountainous Grisons, a canton where three of the country’s four languages are spoken. The 7,504-foot Julier Pass, an important Alpine road since Roman times, leads to the Engadine. This valley is considered by many as the most beautiful mountain area in the world, with deep-blue lakes, airy larch forests that turn golden in the fall, mountain peaks exceeding 12,000 feet, and quaint villages with massive white stone houses in the characteristic Grisons style. Afternoon St. Moritz. (B,D)

Day 3 St. Moritz–Lake Como, Italy–Lugano, Switzerland

(Tue.) A gradual change of scenery as you descend towards the enchanting shores of the Italian Lake Como and continue on to the southern tip of Switzerland. The vegetation south of the Alps is Mediterranean: chestnut groves, vineyards, and olive and fig trees make you forget that earlier today you were within walking distance of glaciers. Afternoon arrival in the popular subtropical resort town of Lugano allows time for shopping under the arcades of Via Nassa, an espresso on flower-festooned Piazza Riforma, or a stroll along the lake. (B)

Day 4 Lugano–Stresa, Italy–Zermatt, Switzerland

(Wed.) From Lake Lugano to the Italian shore of Lake Maggiore for a break in elegant Stresa. An optional boat ride to the enchanting Isola Bella can be arranged. On over lofty Simplon Pass into the Swiss Valais, an area renowned for its excellent wines and great mountain resorts. To reach the most famous of them, leave the coach behind in Täsch and board a MOUNTAIN TRAIN, climbing the last few miles up to Zermatt, a picturesque cluster of rustic chalets beneath the Matterhorn. (B,D)

Day 5 ermatt–Montreux–Gruyère Area

(Thu.) Morning at leisure. A suggestion: ride Europe’s highest rack-railway to 10,272-foot Gornergrat for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Alps. Next, motor through the vineyards and apricot groves of the lower Rhône Valley to the shores of Lake Geneva. Stop in Montreux of festival fame before continuing to the Gruyère area, where you will visit a CHEESE FACTORY and the picturesque town of GRUYÈRES. (B,D)

Day 6 Gruyère Area–Berne–Interlaken–Lucerne

(Fri.) Travel along an excellent highway through some of the country’s best farmlands to its stately capital, Berne. Sightseeing with a Local Guide starts at the popular BEAR PIT and then focuses on the monumental Federal Palace and the beautifully preserved medieval Old Town. Witness the hourly parade of painted figures at the Clock Tower and take your pictures of ornate, flower-adorned fountains. Afterwards, continue to Interlaken and take pictures of the Jungfrau massif with its group of three famous peaks: the Jungfrau, the Mönch, and the Eiger. Over Brünig Pass to picture-book Lucerne. You may wish to sign up for a folklore party with yodeling and alphorn blowing for a first-hand impression of  Alpine merrymaking. (B)

Day 7 Lucerne

(Sat.) On your walking tour this morning, admire Thorwaldsen’s LION MONUMENT and ornate patrician houses of the walled Old Town, then, cross the famous covered CHAPEL BRIDGE to the Jesuit church. Afterwards, shop for watches and choose from our optional activities: climb a mountain by cable car or take a cruise on the fjord-like lake. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate the success of your Swiss vacation. (B,D)

Day 8 Lucerne–Zurich Airport

(Sun.) Morning transfer to Zurich Airport in time for homebound flights leaving no earlier than 10 am. Extra nights are available in Zurich, not Lucerne. (B)

GUARANTED DEPARTURE DATES 09 :

April : 19  -  May : 03 -  10  - 24   -  June :  07 – 21 -  28  -  July : 12  -  19  -  26

August : 09  -  16  30 -   Sep. 06  -  13   -  20  27 

PRICE  PER PERSON  SHARING DOUBLE ROOM :  1780,- USD

Supplement single Room                                         280,- USD

PRICE INCLUDED

Zurich: Welcome dinner; orientation walk of the Old Town; visit a chocolate factory
Vaduz: Visit the capital of Liechtenstein - Lake Como - Täsch-Zermatt-Täsch: Mountain train
Montreux: Take pictures of the Festival Hall - Gruyére Area: Visit a cheese factory and Gruyères town - Berne: Guided sightseeing, take pictures of the Bear Pit
Interlaken: Take pictures of the Jungfrau massif - Lucerne: Walking tour including the Lion Monument and Chapel Bridge; farewell Dinner

Accommodations and meals Buffet breakfast daily (B); 5 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Zurich and a farewell dinner in Lucerne - SUPERIOR HOTELS : Zurich Mövenpick Zürich Airport (SF) at Glattbrugg, St. Moritz Crystal (F), Lugano De La Paix (F), Zermatt Walliserhof (F), Gruyere Area Cailler (F) at Charmey, Lucerne Monopol (F)

 

NOT INCLUDED :

Ticket  Beirut – Zurich – Beirut   -  Visa fees to Switzerland

Meals and tours not mention in Program

All personal expenses as per Tel. laundry , drinks , tips to guides and drivers etc….

 

 

SWITZERLAND AT LEISURE

11 days incl. air, or 10 days from Zurich to Zurich (LZ)

Map

ITINERARY

Day  1 - Arrival in Zurich, Switzerland

(Fri.) The day is free to rest or to start exploring Zurich’s attractive historical center and lakeside promenade. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 2 -Zurich

(Sat.) This morning, enjoy a walking tour through the OLD TOWN, see Fraumünster Church and the Opera House. Afterwards, a Globus Platinum Exclusive, you CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE: Visit the world-famous SPRÜNGLI CONFECTIONER’S SHOP, or, if you are more interested in history, visit the impressive SWISS NATIONAL MUSEUM. Afternoon at leisure; you may wish to join an exciting optional excursion to the spectacular Rhine Falls combined with dinner. (B)

Day 3 -Zurich–Lucerne–Interlaken Area

(Sun.) The highlight this morning is a visit to picture-book Lucerne, originally built around the point where the Reuss River flows out of the lake. Enjoy a walking tour through the historical center to see the LION MONUMENT, then, cross the CHAPEL BRIDGE to the Jesuit Church. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive across Brünig Pass to the city of Interlaken. Take pictures of the Jungfrau massif, with its group of three famous peaks: the Jungfrau, the Mönch, and the Eiger. Next, continue to your hotel in Grindelwald, the “Glacier Village,” for your three-night stay. (B,D)

Day 4 - At Leisure in Interlaken Area

(Mon.) A whole day to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of this picturesque area at the foot of the Eiger. Your Tour Director will have suggestions how to spend your day. Why not join a half-day optional excursion to the charming, traffic-free resort of Mürren and to spectacular Trümmelbach Falls? (B)

Day 5 - Interlaken Area. Jungfrau Excursion

(Tue.) An unforgettable trip to the high Alpine wonderland of eternal ice and snow is the true highlight of a visit to Switzerland. At an amazing 11,333 feet, the Jungfraujoch is Europe’s highest railway station. Jungfrau’s (13,642 ft.) summit was first ascended in 1811, and in 1912 the rack-railway was opened. The roundtrip to the “Top of Europe” by MOUNTAIN TRAIN will take the larger part of the day. (B)

Day 6 - Interlaken Area–Berne–Gruyères–Zermatt

(Wed.) Today glitters with Swiss charm. Stop in the capital, Berne, and meet your Local Guide for a sightseeing tour of the Old Town and a stop at the famous BEAR PIT. Next, the highlight of today: enjoy a special lunch at a WORKING FARM to get an insight into Swiss country life. In the afternoon, stop in the town of Gruyères before reaching the banks of Lake Geneva. Follow the Rhône River to Täsch, and board a MOUNTAIN TRAIN to climb the last few miles to Zermatt, a picturesque village of rustic chalets nestled beneath the famous Matterhorn. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Zermatt

(Thu.) Morning at leisure to ride the train up Gornergrat for a closer view of the Matterhorn. Walk with your Tour Director through this car-free town, learn about mountain climbers who have attempted the Matterhorn, and visit the MATTERHORN MUSEUM. (B)

Day 8 - At Leisure in Zermatt

(Fri.) Explore the many little shops or join exciting optional excursions: a cable car ride up the Klein Matterhorn or a special dinner to try out local specialties. (B)

Day 9 - Zermatt–Chur–Zurich

(Sat.) This morning, board the first-class panoramic coach of the world-renowned GLACIER EXPRESS TRAIN. Journey through the Valais, a region known for its great mountain resorts and excellent wines, into the heart of the Alps. Admire thundering waterfalls, impressive peaks, glacial ice fields, and tiny villages. In Chur your coach will be waiting to bring you back to Zurich. On the way, admire vistas of the Rhine River, Lake Walen, and Lake Zurich. Tonight, a farewell dinner with the friends made during your exciting Swiss vacation. (B,L,D)

Day 10 :  (Sun.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

Departure guaranted dates

May  :  08   - 15  - 22  -   June :  0 5  -  19  - 26   - July  : 03 -  10  - 17 -  31

August :  14  -  21 – 28 -  Sep. 04  - 11 18  -  25

 

PRICE PER PERSON SHARING DOUBLE ROOM :  2690,- USD

Supplement for single room  :                               340,- USD

 

 

INCLUDED IN PRICE  :

Zurich: Welcome and farewell dinners; walking tour of the Old Town; CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE: Enjoy a visit to the world-famous Sprüngli confectioner’s shop or a visit to the impressive Swiss National Museum
Lucerne: Walking tour including the Lion Monument and the Chapel Bridge
Interlaken Area: Excursion to the Jungfrau by mountain train
Berne: Guided sightseeing including Bear Pit; a special lunch at a traditional Swiss working farm
Gruyères: Visit this picturesque town
Täsch-Zermatt: Mountain train
Zermatt: Walking tour, visit the Matterhorn Museum
Zermatt-Chur:  Glacier Express Train (first-class)
Accommodations & meals : Buffet breakfast daily (B); 2 lunches (L), one at a Swiss working farm and one on the Glacier Express; 4 three-course dinners (D), including welcome and farewell dinners in Zurich, hotels in Zurich Continental (SF), Interlaken Area Sunstar (F) at Grindelwald, Zermatt Alex (SF), Zurich Mövenpick Zürich Airport (SF) at Glattbrugg

NOT INCLUDED :

Ticket  Beirut – Zurich – Beirut

Visa fees to Switzerland

Meals and tours not mention in Program

All personal expenses as per Tel. laundry , drinks , tips to guides and drivers etc….